Bilal is an NBA editor at EssentiallySports. He is a reporter’s editor who fosters a collaborative environment to deliver exceptional coverage. Postgraduate in Media and passionate about NBA, Bilal has worked with some renowned publishing houses, news outlets, magazines and online platforms. He has been entrusted with leadership roles throughout his career and as a team leader, oversees projects, coordinates workflows, and mentors junior editors and writers. With his keen eye for clarity and precision, Bilal seamlessly aligns content with its intended message, consistently leaving an impact.

A tragedy occurred when an American basketball player was lately attacked in a club in Gdansk, Poland. Mikayla Cowling plays for a local club called VBW Arka Gdynia. Cowling was attacked after a EuroCup women’s match, where the Gdynia team emerged victorious with a Final score of 77-47. Athletes have to face countless challenges both on and off the court. These challenges can test their will and determination and, sadly, dangers in unexpected places. After the ex-NCAA star fell victim to such danger, the Aces star A’ja Wilson showed her support. A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE Mikayla Cowling was reported to suffer from a brutal beating which left her with a fractured eye socket, among other injuries, and is currently under observation. Later, it was also reported that the attacker, a 48-year-old man, was caught by the police. The news left the fans and basketball enthusiasts distressed, and many took to social media to show their support for the player. The Las Vegas Aces star and recent WNBA champion A’ja Wilson also posted a story [https://www.instagram.com/stories/aja22wilson/3219423972391723853/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D], showing her support during a hard time like this. A’ja Wilson’s Ideals: “Family First” [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-having-lived-through-mournful-deaths-wnba-legend-hails-aces-star-aja-wilsons-ideals-family-first/] Wilson’s heartfelt gesture shows fans the deep bond athletes share during tough times. Notably, Mikayla Cowling kept the fans on their toes during her NCAA days. A STAR IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL Mikayla Cowling was a standout player in the world of college basketball. With her impressive skills and talent, she made a name for herself. During her freshman year, she averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game, earning her recognition on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Later in her freshman year, she scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, showing her true potential. Her impressive scoring ability and defensive prowess made her a valuable asset to her team. Her college career ended with her securing 470 assists and 1,274 career points making her one of four students in Cal history to ever achieve over 1,000 career points and 400 career assists. In 2018, Cowling was drafted by the Connecticut Sun as a 33rd overall pick in the WNBA. Watch This Story: Angel Reese and Bronny James’ Million Dollar Worth Nil Deals Got an Eye of Scrutiny From Coach K [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/ncaa-college-basketball-news-angel-reese-and-bronny-james-million-dollar-worth-nil-deals-got-an-eye-of-scrutiny-from-coach-k/] Currently, Cowling plays for VBW Arka Gdynia, a Polish professional women’s basketball club where she continues to shine as an impressive player. As she currently recovers from the tragic incident, fans are praying for her speedy recovery. 

The Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson shows her support to an ex-NCAA star player
who was a victim of violence in Poland.

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The Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson shows her support to an ex-NCAA star player who was a victim of violence in Poland.

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Victim of Violence in Poland, Ex-NCAA Star Gets A’ja Wilson’s Support in Trying Times

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One of the greatest to ever grace the game, A'ja Riyadh Wilson, is a WNBA powerhouse. Born on August 8, 1996, she was the 1st overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Per various sources, Wilson has amassed a net worth of $3 million as of 2024.

[caption id="attachment_3118988" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]<img class="wp-image-3118988 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-2163897112-3000x2000-1.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2000" /> PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 27: A'ja Wilson of Team United States speaks during a Team USA Women's 5x5 Basketball press conference on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Main Press Centre on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)[/caption]

A key player in the WNBA and an influential figure in women's sports, the 6’4” Center has a significant impact both on and off the court. Her achievements in basketball, coupled with her advocacy for gender equality and social justice, have established her as a prominent and respected figure in the athletic community.
<h2>A'ja Wilson's early life</h2>
Born to Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. and Eva Rakes Wilson in Columbia, South Carolina, A’ja was a name inspired by the song ‘Aja’ by Steely Dan. The WNBA player revealed this on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! On the other hand, her middle name is one many might be familiar with - the Saudi Arabian capital where her maternal aunt was deployed in Operation Desert Storm.

Her high school education took place at the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private institution in Southern Columbia. There, she led the Highlanders to a regional title and the 2014 SCISA Class 3A state crown, a state runner-up finish in 2013, and the 2012 state semifinals. The Aces Center was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid.
<h2>College life and achievements</h2>
Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With Wilson, the team reached their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017. The star player also swept the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award that year.

In 2018, she won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season.

She finished college as the all-time leading scorer for South Carolina and majored in broadcasting. A statue of her likeness was erected near the main entrance to Colonial Life Arena, unveiled on January 18, 2021, as part of the university's observance of Martin Luther King Day.
<h2>Career in the WNBA and for Team USA so far</h2>
After being drafted first overall in 2018, Wilson won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, a feat she repeated in 2023 while earning Finals MVP. Wilson also won the MVP of the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney after winning her second World Cup title (first in 2018). 

On July 7, 2024, in a matchup against the Dallas Wings, she became the Aces' all-time leading scorer. She also won the gold medal in basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

[caption id="attachment_3126118" align="aligncenter" width="4070"]<img class="wp-image-3126118 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-08-11T161936Z_899472679_UP1EK8B19CMOE_RTRMADP_3_OLYMPICS-2024-BASKETBALL.jpg" alt="A'Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart" width="4070" height="2876" /> Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Women's Victory Ceremony - Bercy Arena, Paris, France - August 11, 2024. Gold medallists A'Ja Wilson of United States and Breanna Stewart of United States celebrate on the podium. REUTERS/Brian Snyder[/caption]

Wilson has also dabbled in writing and is a New York Times best-selling author with her book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You released in February 2024. 
<h2>A'ja Wilson contract</h2>
A'ja Wilson signed a 4 year, $232,178 contract with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, including an average annual salary of $58,045. This was followed by a 2-year, $398,422 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $199,211.

Wilson then signed a 2-year, $400,000 contract extension in 2023, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $200,000. In 2024, Wilson will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000 and a dead cap value of $200,000.

Before this, Wilson had an overseas stint in China when in August 2018, she signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018–19 off-season. The details of this contract are unclear and it’s uncertain how much Wilson earned.
<h2>A'ja Wilson Family</h2>
Wilson's mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, worked as a court stenographer for the Richland County School District 1 in Columbia, South Carolina. Wilson's father, Roscoe Wilson, Jr., played college basketball at Benedict College and professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. Wilson also has an older brother, Renaldo, who also played professional basketball overseas.
<h2>A'ja Wilson awards won in the WNBA</h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">2× WNBA Champion (2022, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">6× WNBA All-Star (2018–2020, 2022–2024)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Rookie of the Year (2018)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Most Valuable Player (2020, 2022)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">2× Best WNBA Player ESPY Award (2023, 2024)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Best Female Athlete ESPY Award (2024)</li>
</ul>
<h2>A'ja Wilson awards won in college</h2>
From the SEC Freshman of the Year and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015 to four-time winner of First-team All-SEC (2015–2018), A’ja Wilson’s college career was decorated with honors. Along with being a two-time winner of SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018) and three-time winner of the SEC Player of the Year from 2016–2018, Wilson also led her team to become the three-time Consensus first-team All-American from 2016–2018. She was also the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2017.

Near the end of her college career, Wilson won the Lisa Leslie Award, USBWA Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, John R. Wooden Award, and the Wade Trophy, all in 2018.
<h2>A'ja Wilson business partnerships and endorsements</h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Wilson, along with her mother, founded the Burnt Wax Candle Company in 2021. The candles were priced at approximately $40 at that time and were named after her numerous accomplishments – National Champion, All-Star, MVP, Olympic Gold 2020, etc.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">As per Forbes, Wilson had also invested in Masters, a fitness app, during its seed round. Thus, A’ja was both a trainer and an investor for the app. For the unversed, the app has workout routines by top athletes that can be accessed from the comfort of home. </li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">The Las Vegas Aces star has added a high-profile sponsorship to her portfolio. Gatorade has signed the 2x WNBA MVP to a multi-year endorsement deal.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Wilson became the first female basketball player to join Mountain Dew’s roster, which already includes several National Basketball Association players, such as Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">A'ja Wilson announced that she'll have her own signature shoe with Nike prior to the Las Vegas Aces' preseason game against the Puerto Rico national team on Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<h2>A'ja Wilson’s signature shoes</h2>
Wilson's signature show, the "A'One," will debut in 2025. She's the 13th WNBA player to ink a signature shoe deal. The Olympic gold-medal winner joins tennis greats Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, soccer standout Megan Rapinoe, and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu on Nike’s roster of signature athletes.
<h2>A'ja Wilson social media accounts:</h2>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/">https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/</a>

Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/_ajawilson22">https://x.com/_ajawilson22</a>

Website: <a href="https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/">https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/</a>

A'ja Wilson

One of the greatest to ever grace the game, A&#8217;ja Riyadh Wilson, is a WNBA powerhouse. Born on August 8, 1996, she was the 1st overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Per various sources, Wilson has amassed a net worth of $3 million as of 2024. PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; JULY 27: A&#8217;ja Wilson of Team United States speaks during a Team USA Women&#8217;s 5&#215;5 Basketball press conference on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Main Press Centre on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) A key player in the WNBA and an influential figure in women&#8217;s sports, the 6’4” Center has a significant impact both on and off the court. Her achievements in basketball, coupled with her advocacy for gender equality and social justice, have established her as a prominent and respected figure in the athletic community. A&#8217;ja Wilson&#8217;s early life Born to Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. and Eva Rakes Wilson in Columbia, South Carolina, A’ja was a name inspired by the song ‘Aja’ by Steely Dan. The WNBA player revealed this on NPR&#8217;s Wait Wait&#8230; Don&#8217;t Tell Me! On the other hand, her middle name is one many might be familiar with &#8211; the Saudi Arabian capital where her maternal aunt was deployed in Operation Desert Storm. Her high school education took place at the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private institution in Southern Columbia. There, she led the Highlanders to a regional title and the 2014 SCISA Class 3A state crown, a state runner-up finish in 2013, and the 2012 state semifinals. The Aces Center was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid. College life and achievements Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With Wilson, the team reached their first NCAA Women&#8217;s Basketball Championship in 2017. The star player also swept the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award that year. In 2018, she won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women&#8217;s basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. She finished college as the all-time leading scorer for South Carolina and majored in broadcasting. A statue of her likeness was erected near the main entrance to Colonial Life Arena, unveiled on January 18, 2021, as part of the university&#8217;s observance of Martin Luther King Day. Career in the WNBA and for Team USA so far After being drafted first overall in 2018, Wilson won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, a feat she repeated in 2023 while earning Finals MVP. Wilson also won the MVP of the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney after winning her second World Cup title (first in 2018).  On July 7, 2024, in a matchup against the Dallas Wings, she became the Aces&#8217; all-time leading scorer. She also won the gold medal in basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Paris 2024 Olympics &#8211; Basketball &#8211; Women&#8217;s Victory Ceremony &#8211; Bercy Arena, Paris, France &#8211; August 11, 2024. Gold medallists A&#8217;Ja Wilson of United States and Breanna Stewart of United States celebrate on the podium. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Wilson has also dabbled in writing and is a New York Times best-selling author with her book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You released in February 2024.  A&#8217;ja Wilson contract A&#8217;ja Wilson signed a 4 year, $232,178 contract with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, including an average annual salary of $58,045. This was followed by a 2-year, $398,422 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $199,211. Wilson then signed a 2-year, $400,000 contract extension in 2023, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $200,000. In 2024, Wilson will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000 and a dead cap value of $200,000. Before this, Wilson had an overseas stint in China when in August 2018, she signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women&#8217;s Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018–19 off-season. The details of this contract are unclear and it’s uncertain how much Wilson earned. A&#8217;ja Wilson Family Wilson&#8217;s mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, worked as a court stenographer for the Richland County School District 1 in Columbia, South Carolina. Wilson&#8217;s father, Roscoe Wilson, Jr., played college basketball at Benedict College and professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. Wilson also has an older brother, Renaldo, who also played professional basketball overseas. A&#8217;ja Wilson awards won in the WNBA 2× WNBA Champion (2022, 2023) 6× WNBA All-Star (2018–2020, 2022–2024) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2018) WNBA Most Valuable Player (2020, 2022) WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023) WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2023) 2× Best WNBA Player ESPY Award (2023, 2024) Best Female Athlete ESPY Award (2024) A&#8217;ja Wilson awards won in college From the SEC Freshman of the Year and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015 to four-time winner of First-team All-SEC (2015–2018), A’ja Wilson’s college career was decorated with honors. Along with being a two-time winner of SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018) and three-time winner of the SEC Player of the Year from 2016–2018, Wilson also led her team to become the three-time Consensus first-team All-American from 2016–2018. She was also the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2017. Near the end of her college career, Wilson won the Lisa Leslie Award, USBWA Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, John R. Wooden Award, and the Wade Trophy, all in 2018. A&#8217;ja Wilson business partnerships and endorsements Wilson, along with her mother, founded the Burnt Wax Candle Company in 2021. The candles were priced at approximately $40 at that time and were named after her numerous accomplishments – National Champion, All-Star, MVP, Olympic Gold 2020, etc. As per Forbes, Wilson had also invested in Masters, a fitness app, during its seed round. Thus, A’ja was both a trainer and an investor for the app. For the unversed, the app has workout routines by top athletes that can be accessed from the comfort of home.  The Las Vegas Aces star has added a high-profile sponsorship to her portfolio. Gatorade has signed the 2x WNBA MVP to a multi-year endorsement deal. Wilson became the first female basketball player to join Mountain Dew’s roster, which already includes several National Basketball Association players, such as Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook. A&#8217;ja Wilson announced that she&#8217;ll have her own signature shoe with Nike prior to the Las Vegas Aces&#8217; preseason game against the Puerto Rico national team on Saturday. A&#8217;ja Wilson’s signature shoes Wilson&#8217;s signature show, the &#8220;A&#8217;One,&#8221; will debut in 2025. She&#8217;s the 13th WNBA player to ink a signature shoe deal. The Olympic gold-medal winner joins tennis greats Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, soccer standout Megan Rapinoe, and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu on Nike’s roster of signature athletes. A&#8217;ja Wilson social media accounts: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/ Twitter: https://x.com/_ajawilson22 Website: https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/

Victim of Violence in Poland, Ex-NCAA Star Gets A’ja Wilson’s Support in Trying Times

A Victim of Violence

A star in college basketball